Incident Overview
On 6 October 2015, at Jeżów Sudecki Airfield (EPJS), a glider accident occurred during training flights involving aerotow and gravity starts. The aircraft was a SZD-9 bis „Bocian” 1E glider. The flight departed from the southern runway DS 5, with the intention of landing on the summit of Góra Szybowcowa on main runway DS 1. The pilot, aged 48, held a valid glider pilot license (SPL) with endorsements for aerotow and winch launch methods. The pilot had a total flight time of 126 hours, including 76 hours solo, with 359 launches. In the current year, the pilot had logged 16 hours and 52 launches.
Sequence of Events
After reaching an altitude of 300 meters above the hilltop, the pilot released the glider and initiated the landing circuit. While on the downwind leg, the pilot assessed the meteorological conditions, noting a tailwind for landing down the slope. Believing the glider was too high, the pilot performed one orbit. After completing the fourth turn and aligning with the runway on final approach, the glider remained too high. Despite the pilot applying full airbrake deflection, the flare occurred halfway along the runway length. Upon touchdown, the glider did not decelerate sufficiently. After crossing the hilltop, the pilot, fearing a collision with obstacles, turned the glider to the right, toward the empty northern slope. During this maneuver, the right wingtip struck the ground, causing the glider to rotate and slide sideways approximately 70 meters down the slope.
Damage
The glider sustained damage to its undercarriage, fuselage, right wingtip, and tail skid. The aircraft had been technically serviceable prior to the flight. No injuries were reported; two occupants were listed as having no injuries.
Probable Cause
The accident was attributed to an excessively high approach to landing.